PKR DIVISIONAL POLLS KICK OFF IN SELANGOR, MELAKA AND PERLIS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) --  The PKR divisional elections, including contests for its Youth and Wanita wings, kicked off today in Selangor, Melaka and Perlis, with 114,318 members eligible to cast their votes.

The polls have proceeded smoothly, with results expected to be announced later tonight.

Selangor PKR deputy chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said about 98,000 members in the state will be voting, with many opting to vote online as it offers greater convenience. 

“About 98.5 per cent of members are expected to vote online, while the remaining members are casting their ballots physically, likely those unfamiliar with the new system or senior citizens.

“So far, the election process in Selangor has been running smoothly, and if this continues, we expect the results to be announced by tonight,” he told Bernama when contacted.

Melaka PKR secretary Muhammad Asri Ibrahim said a total of 11,318 members are casting their votes.

He said this included 3,558 voters in the Hang Tuah Jaya division, Alor Gajah (2,495), Tangga Batu (1,667), Melaka Tengah (1,627), Kota Melaka (1,200) and Jasin (771).

“Of the 11,318 members, 94 are voting physically at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), comprising senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwD), while the remaining members are voting online.

“The voting process this morning went smoothly as it was conducted online, and we expect the results to be announced as early as 7 pm after polling ends at 5 pm,” he said.

Meanwhile, Perlis PKR chairman Noor Amin Ahmad said nearly 5,000 members are expected to cast their votes, both online and physically, with the latter taking place at a hotel in Kangar.

He said the elections involving Kangar, Arau and Padang Besar, proceeded smoothly despite some technical issues, which did not affect the overall election process.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s political secretary Chan Ming Kai won the Alor Setar PKR division chief post in the Kedah divisional elections yesterday.

According to official results released by the Party Election Committee (JPP) today, Chan, a former Alor Setar MP, secured 932 votes to defeat his challenger Ang Say Thong, who garnered 471 votes in a straight fight.

Former division chief Datuk Zamri Yusuf won the deputy chief post after polling 768 votes against Fadhlurrahman Zawawi, who received 621 votes.

Sungai Petani MP Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari and Bakar Arang state assemblyman Loh Wei Chai won the Sungai Petani divison chief and deputy chief posts unopposed.

Meanwhile, the Kedah AMK (PKR Youth) divisional election was reheld today after it was cancelled yesterday due to a technical glitch in the voting application, which failed to verify the birth dates of members aged 35 and below.

The PKR divisional elections will run from April 11 to 20, while the central leadership polls, including for the Youth and Wanita wings, will be held on May 24.

-- BERNAMA